caduceus
noun
ca·du·ceus
kə-ˈdü-sē-əs
-ˈdyü-,
-shəs
plural caducei
kə-ˈdü-sē-ˌī
-ˈdyü-,
-shē-
1
: the symbolic staff of a herald
specifically
: a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top
2
: a medical insignia bearing a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top:
a
: one sometimes used to symbolize a physician but often considered to be an erroneous representation compare staff of asclepius
b
: the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share